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anil married, and with families. The report indicates the arrangements which are thought necessary for each class of settlor. This report also explains and emphasizes the importance: of migration in the development of traele, between the Dominions and the United Kingdom, and in the creation of new wealth for the Empire. His Majesty's Government feel strongly that the, need of population overseas, and also wider and more far-reaching considerations, such as the defence of the Empire and the future expansion of the British race, make it desirable that the Governments of the Dominions and of the United Kingdom should co-operate in a continuous policy of state-aided Empire settlement. It is fully recognized that in present circumstances it is difficult for certain oversea - Governments to co-operate upon a, large scale, that it may be harder to promote a, large, volume of successful migration in times of trade depression, like the present, than in times of trade activity, and that the fall in the price of agricultural produce is a temporary hindrance to successful settlement. It is also recognizee! that migration is viewed with disfavour by certain classes of the community both here and overseas. So far as tho United Kingdom is concerned, it is believed that this, disfavour is partly traceable to the lack of organization in the past, and it should, therefore be diminished by tho improvements of organization which we recommend. So far as the oversea countries are concerned, it is believed that apprehensions will be allayed when it is clearly understood that the policy is framed primarily with a view to land-settlement and provides an adequate organization for selecting and training the intending settlers. In view of the importance of the establishment of a continuous policy of State-aided migration, His Majesty's Government are prepared, on their side (subject, of course, to the necessary co-operation on the part of oversea authorities), to consider any proposals which may be put forward for co-operation on their part in schemes of Empire settlement and migration within the limit of £3,000,000 available annually for the next fourteen years under the Empire Settlement Act. They are also prepared to do everything possible in concert with Dominion representatives to perfect the arrangements in the United Kingdom for selecting and recruiting intending settlers. They desire, however, to repeat and emphasize the fact that the next essential step in promoting Empire settlement on right lines lies with the Dominions. They vemture accordingly to urge on the Governments which participated in the, January-February, 1.921, Conference which may not yet have given full effect to Resolution No. X of the Conference by making "special arrangements for the reception, distribution, and initial supervision of British settlers," the importance of making satisfactory provision for this purpose with the least possible delay. April, 1923.

ANNEX I. (Appendix V to Cmd. 1474.) Conference on State-aided Empire Settlement. January-February, 1921 : Record of Proceedings. A Conference on State-aided Empire Settlement was held at the Colonial Office on the 28th and 31st January and on the Ist, 2nd, and 4th February, 1921, between representatives of His Majesty's Government and representatives of the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand. His Majesty's Government were represented at the opening meeting by Viscount Milner, President of the Oversea Settlement Committee, and. in his absence the chair was taken at subsequent meetings by Lieutenant-Colonel L. S. Amery, M.P., Chairman of the Oversea Settlement Committee. Representatives of the Treasury, Ministry of Labour, and Oversea Settlement Committee also attended. The following represented the three Dominions concerned - Canada — The Hon. Sir George Perley, K.C.M.G. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Obed Smith. Australia— Senator the Hon. E. D. Millon. Mr. Percy Hunter. New Zealand The Hon. Sir James Allen, K.C.B. Mr. H. C. Cameron. Mr. V. Mills. In opening the proceedings, Viscount Milner stated that the Conference had been summoned in order to advise upon an enduring policy of oversea settlement which should tend to bring about this best distribution of the man-power of the Empire and so to develop and strengthen the whole Empire. He pointed out that oversea settlement should not be regarded as a means of dealing directly with abnormal unemployment in the United Kingdom at any given moment, but as a means of remedying ■ fluctuations of trade bv developing our best markets and of permanently minimizing the risk of unemployment here and throughout the Empire. He emphasized the view of His Majesty's Government that no stone should be left unturned to secure for the Dominions the population which they require, and ensure that the outflow of population from the United 'Kingdom should have opportunities for settlement under the flag in countries British in spirit and British in their institutions. *